Europa 2009 Astronomy - Sweden

Sweden is the second country in the list to issue the Europa 2009 - Astronomy. First country is Greenland. I not yet manage to get any items from Greenland. But wish my friends already help me to get it then can show it to you.
So today happy to receive the items from Sweden. Thanks a lots Merja Deb who is kind enough to help me! Another very nice friend from Postcrossing.


Stamp booklet with two set of stamps.
First day of issue commemorative postmark.

FDC of Astronomy issue.

Some information for this issue from the information sheet provided by Sweden Post:

The study of the stars is an ancient tradition that over the centuries has developed into the science we know today – astronomy.

This development includes some events of quite paramount importance. One such milestone was the year 1609, when the Italian mathematician and physicist Galileo Galilei first directed his telescope toward the night sky. To mark the occasion, the UN has designated the year 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy.

The stamp designs are inspired by an international project in which Swedish scientist are playing a leading role: PoGOLite.

The instrument, a polarimeter, will measure polarization in X-rays from space.

One of the first objects to be studied by PoGOLite will be the Crab Nebula. Star charts of the designate the Crab Nebula as M1,

As it was the first object listed by the comet-hunter Charles Messier in his catalogue of phenomena that could be confused with comets.

The schematic diagram of the polarimeter shows how it is made up of hexagonal elements, assembled like a honeycomb.

So that the atmosphere does not block radiation to be measured., PoGOLite will be raised to around 40 km by balloon. This will take place at the Esrange Rocket base in Kiruna, northern Sweden.

Manus Axelsson
Astronomer at Stockholm University
And member of the PoGOLite project team

Stamp originals: Stamp and FDC design: Einar Akerlind.

International Year of Astronomy 2009 - Korea

Astronomy is my main topic of collection. This year , is International Year of Asrtonomy.
For sure I have to put all my power on it. Hope that more and more items will coming soon and get helps from friends around the world. Especially from Europe! Thanks in advance.
Therefore first of all would like to show you the astronomy items from South Korea. South Korea Post also join in to celebrate this.
Real posted cover on date of issue.
Below is the information I get from the information sheet from Post of South Korea:

Countless stars embellish the night sky. Stars are the sources of mysterious and amazing legends. Depicted in our imagination, the moon has been where the rabbit mills, but the universe is now revealing its secrets one by one, as mankind’s scientific technology inexorably advances.

Commemorating the 400^th anniversary of Galilwo Galilei’s observation of the night sky through a telescope, the UN declared the year 2009 as the “International Year of Astronomy.” IAU (International Astronomical Union) and UNESCO are planning to conduct a campaign in 2009 under the theme of “The Universe, Yours to Discover” in order to celebrate the amazing accomplishments that astronomy has achieved to date and to provide an opportunity to learn about and experience the fascination of astronomy. In about 140 countries around th4e world, a wide variety of activities will unfold in order to enable the citizens of the global village to experience and the beauty of the dark sky and to preserve the natural heritage of the dark night skies.

In commemoration of the “international Year of Astronomy 2009”, a new stamp featuring the mysterious look of the universe is issued. Introduced are: the Planetary Nebula NGC 3132 which looks like a planet but is actually composed of clouds of gases and dust created by the explosion of a star’s unstable outer layer; and the Whirlpool Galaxy M51 composed of hundreds of billions of stars and interstellar matter. How about taking a telescope and looking out the window into the night Sky tonight?

Date of issue : January 15, 2009
Quantity : 850 000 stamps each
Denomination: 250won
Size of stamp: 40mm x 30mm
Perforation : 13
Paper: White unwatermarked
Designer : Jiwon MO

Really thanks to my friends who help to post this cover. Now also waiting for the stamps from others.

Covers from Taiwan and China

Showing some covers received from China and also Taiwan. Taiwan issue is very cute giant Panda.

Year of the Ox

Chinese New Year just over. Therefore would like to show you some year of the ox covers.
Those covers really nice. Many country issue the stamps for Lunar New Year but not Malaysia.

Macau year of the ox cover with the miniature sheet and stamps set on the cover. Sent via registered mail on day of issue. However worker from Malaysia post already do a quite stupid work again. Paste the registered mail label from Malaysia on the stamps.



FDC from Australia. Really very nice covers. Thanks syeon who are so nice sending me those nice covers.

Some Year of the Ox covers from China.
A cover from Singapore


USA also issue stamps for year of the ox on 8 Jan 2009.

France Covers Update!

This is a registered mail using the stamp sheetlet and many stamps on it.



These day quite busy as previously having the Chinese New Year Holidays and also a vacation to Siam Reap Cambodia. When I am back to work have to settle those pending jobs.
So now showing some nice covers sending by Cotard Stephane for the previous month.
Thanks